First Comprehensive Stroke Centre certification from American Stroke Association outside USA achieved by two Stroke Centres in Dubai

The certificate reinforces Dubai’s drive to provide world-class specialised and accessible care to its population and visitors alike.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 14, 2021: Dubai Health Authority’s Rashid Hospital and Mediclinic’s City Hospital received the Comprehensive Stroke Centre certification from the American Stroke Association for their ability to provide the highest quality of care for stroke patients.

This is a milestone achievement for the Emirate’s health sector as this is the first Comprehensive Stroke Centre certification from American Stroke Association outside USA. 

The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is the world’s leading force for longer, healthier lives and it uses its stroke certification model to assist hospitals with a framework to manage and deliver quality care by standardising and increasing the adherence to scientific guidelines and access to acute care for patients who experience a stroke.

This certification programme is based on standards developed independently and overseen by two mission-driven organisations, reflecting decades of science and clinical expertise.

Rashid Hospital receives 1,000 cases of stroke annually and provides the highest quality of timely care using the latest technologies and smart solutions. 

Rashid Hospital received this accreditation after  a team of expert reviewers evaluated the stroke centre for compliance with Comprehensive Stroke Centre standards and requirements. 

His Excellency Awadh Al Ketbi, Director General of the DHA said that the qualitative leap in the health sector in Dubai reflects the advanced priority of the health sector in Dubai government’s vision and is in line with aspirations of providing a truly world-class health model.

 His Excellency congratulated Rashid Hospital and Mediclinic on this new achievement. 

He highlighted that Dubai's position as the first two centres outside of the USA to receive this international accreditation by the American Stroke Association reflects the extent of development and progress reached by government and private hospitals in the Emirate and highlights the efforts made to develop an integrated and world-class health system in Dubai.

He added that DHA is proud of Rashid Hospital for its excellence in medical services and its dedication to provide patients with the highest quality of healthcare.

Al Ketbi stressed that the authority appreciates all efforts of the public and private health sector who work together to provide the highest quality of accessible and specialised patient-centered care with an aim to exceed customer expectations.

Puja Patel, Director of International Quality and Accreditation at American Heart Association praised the achievements of the health sector in Dubai. “Dubai is a global city that and its health institutions and medical facilities are comparable with institutions and facilities globally.”

She appreciated the rapid progress made by the Dubai Health Authority at all levels, and the authority's efforts to ensure partnership in the public and private health sector. 

Dr Fahd Baslaib, CEO of Rashid Hospital said that the hospital's accreditation as the first centre outside the United States represents an important addition to the international accreditations obtained by the hospital across its various departments and specialties. He expressed his happiness and pride and thanked all the employees at the hospital for their dedication and commitment to provide the highest quality of medical care.”

 Dr. Suhail Al Rukn, Consultant Neurologist and Head of the Stroke Centre at Rashid Hospital said: “This achievement is a result of the tremendous efforts of the hospital to provide the highest quality of care to its patients. Stroke management requires timely and high-quality care and we have developed our centre to provide the highest quality of internationally recognised stroke management and care with an aim to ensure patients regain their mobility and quality of life to the absolute best extent possible.”

The DHA received the certificate in the presence of His Excellency Awadh Al Ketbi, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, Dr. Younis Kazim, CEO of Dubai Healthcare Corporation, Dr Fahd Baslaib, CEO of Rashid Hospital, Dr Mansour Nadhari, Medical Director of Rashid Hospital and Dr. Suhail Al Rukn, Consultant Neurologist and Head of the Stroke Centre at Rashid Hospital.